An incredible letter from Blackburn Rovers’ deputy CEO Paul Hunt to the club’s
owner, Anuradha Desai, sent in December has revealed the financial turmoil,
internal unrest and doubts about Steve Kean that have dogged the club under
Venky's stweardship.

Never rains but it pours: members of the Blackburn Rovers hierachy wanted Steve Kean sacked as far back as December last yearPhoto: REUTERS

The letter, uncovered by Sporting Intelligence, stretches to over 2,500 words and details a 10 point plan from Hunt to improve the dire state of the club under the Indian chicken farmers.

Issuing a damning critique of the owners' ability to run Rovers, Hunt, who has been working as the club's de facto CEO due to the club's failure to appoint a replacement for John Williams almost a year ago, outlined his fears for the future of Rovers.

“I have been your senior officer at the club for six months now and I feel that I must now write to you to ask you to make some significant changes to save the club, perhaps from relegation but also perhaps from administration," he wrote.

His fears proved to be prescient with Blackburn Rovers relegated from the Premier League after defeat to Wigan Athletic last night.

The letter continues: “In 20 years of the Premier League there has been only one side that was bottom of the league at Christmas that has survived relegation at the end of the season.

“With the bank closing in, I fear that they will look to foreclose and have the potential to implement financial restrictions upon the club that could (as a worst-case scenario) enforce administration.

“I have kept quiet for a time now out of utmost respect and I trust that you realise that I am only emailing you now as I want what is only the best for Blackburn Rovers and the owners.

“I am very much of the opinion that we can save the club and I have always been very supportive and positive towards the owners. Therefore I hope you know that what I am saying is considered, honest, constructive and from the heart."

Hunt's detailed letter contained a section titled 'Owners to invest in club' as one of the 10 points of action needed.

It read: “As you are aware Barclays have asked for the owners to put £10m into the business. This needs to happen and I am confident that this could only be a loan as we would increase the value of the club significantly. With all the speculation in the press the playing staff value and overall club value is depreciating on a daily basis.

“By putting an end to this the owners would be protecting their investment, putting their trust in the executive team and the club. The position with the finances is a cause for grave concern.

“Auditors KPMG have put as many obstacles as they can in the way of signing off the accounts due to their concerns. We continue to try and work with Barclays but they are very quickly losing patience as we cannot give answers. We have been forced to agree to additional spending against our wishes (Christmas hampers, sponsoring the Princes Trust event etc) and I am fearful that the situation will only get worse.

“During January we need additional funding to pay wages etc.”

Point 3 deals with Kean's position, and echoes many of the concerns voiced by the Blackburn fans who have repeatedly called for his head.

It says: “Publicly I have been asked to support the manager and I always have as I personally like Steve. I have supported him from the start and have been desperate for him to do well. However, I am now of the opinion that it isn’t working and he is ready to go.

“He has lost the crowd and as a result of this evening’s game has lost the dressing room as well – the players no longer want to play for him. It is a shame and disappointing but we must act now to save the club. The board should be asked their opinion in who should be the new manager.”

Hunt continues: “We are losing fans/customers at an alarming rate. I am very concerned that fans are voting with their feet and not attending, not purchasing and not engaging with the club.

“Research shows that only 5 per cent of ex-season ticket holders will ever return. We are losing sponsors and suppliers. I am concerned we will lose Umbro if we continue to manufacture Rovers shirts in India for the RoverStar programme. Their contract specifically disallows this and we are putting at risk £800k of annual revenue.

“The Blackburn Rovers and Venky’s brands are both suffering terribly. Whilst there are negative goings on such as protests, complaints, media stories, unhappy fans etc, then both brands are losing brand equity and consequently, losing value.

“I am also concerned that the Premier League will intervene soon as they may take the view that their brand is being tarnished by association too. It is all reparable of course but we must start to act now by building bridges with fans and the media as above.”

The letter concludes with a hope that things could get better.

“I look forward to hearing your thoughts. With very best wishes for a bright future, Paul.”

“I ask that we instigate all the changes below in this 10 point plan.”